PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Chase (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isaac Wankerl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wankerl is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Voodoo Chile by Jimi Hendrix. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Chase
vs
Wankerl

168 cm
19
160 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
160 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Charlie Chase!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Isaac Wankerl!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wankerl keeps the fight on the outside.

Chase closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Chase wants to work for an arm triangle but Wankerl is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wankerl manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Wankerl keeping moving, preventing Chase from controlling successfully.
Chase preventing the sweep.
Wankerl is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Wankerl throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Chase looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chase stopping the sweep attempt from Wankerl.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Chase throws a right hand that Wankerl ducks under and follows up with a left that Wankerl also avoids with ease.
Wankerl gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Chase counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wankerl is trying to stand.
Wankerl is looking for a sweep. Chase is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Chase is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Wankerl doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Chase.
Chase throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wankerl is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Chase pulls his head out easily.
Wankerl looks gassed!

Chase is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Chase sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Chase is trying to control the action in half guard but Wankerl is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Chase takes the fight into the clinch.
Chase trying to land knees to the body.

Wankerl tightens his grip and picks Chase up, before dumping him to the ground. Chase manages to land in guard.

Chase looking for a guillotine here but Wankerl defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chase is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Chase is trying to control the position but Wankerl postures up.
Wankerl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Chase swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Chase working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wankerl pushing down on Chase's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Wankerl trying to control from Chase's half guard. Chase has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Chase keeping moving, preventing Wankerl from controlling successfully.
Chase is trying to keep Wankerl in close.
Chase throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Chase is trying to control the position but Wankerl postures up.
Wankerl sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Chase manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wankerl manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Chase dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Chase lands with a nice body punch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Chase.
Wankerl has his takedown stuffed
and Chase counters with a nice low kick that buckles Wankerl's knee momentarily.

Wankerl rushes Chase and presses him up against the cage.
Chase scores with a knee to the head.
Chase trying to land knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Chase.
Wankerl blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Chase lands an elbow inside.
Chase throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Wankerl takes a knee right on the jaw!
Chase with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Chase looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Chase lands an elbow inside that Wankerl shrugs off.
Chase lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Wankerl avoids the elbow strike from Chase, against the cage.
Chase throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wankerl blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chase tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wankerl is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Chase pulls him back up using the underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Chase just misses with a elbow thrown towards Wankerl's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wankerl blocks an elbow strike.
Chase displaying some good clinch control by pressing Wankerl up against the cage.
Wankerl has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Chase avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Charlie Chase has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Wankerl.
Chase lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Chase tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Chase unloads a knee to the mid-section. Wankerl lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Chase tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wankerl misses with a hook from the clinch.
Chase gets underhooks to prevent Wankerl's takedown attempt.
Chase scores a nice knee to the body.
Chase landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Chase just misses with a elbow thrown towards Wankerl's brow.
A knee to the head by Chase.
Chase trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Chase fails to land.
Chase using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wankerl has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Chase missing with knees to the body.
Wankerl throws a punch but it's blocked by Chase.
Chase lands an elbow that stopped Wankerl in his tracks for a moment.
Good body shot from Chase.
Chase prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chase tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wankerl's elbow.
Chase connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wankerl's face.
Wankerl can't get the takedown.
Chase trying to land knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Chase takes a shot to the head.
Wankerl looking for a takedown.
Wankerl has Chase pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Chase manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Chase is looking to control Wankerl's arms but Wankerl gets an underhook and turns him. Now Chase has his back to the cage.
Wankerl is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Chase crunches a lovely knee into Wankerl's ribcage.
Wankerl blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Chase gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wankerl.
Chase lands a knee to the body.
Chase looking to slow down the pace here.
Chase throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wankerl blocks it with crossed arms.

Wankerl turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wankerl working away.

Wankerl tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Wankerl advances to full mount.
Wankerl avoids the attempt from Chase to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chase is desperately trying to improve his position but Wankerl has a good base and remains in mount.

Wankerl working for a submission but Chase is keeping him at bay.
Wankerl throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Wankerl avoids the attempt from Chase to control.
Chase flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Wankerl throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Chase is looking to get to half guard.
Chase is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Chase is working to get back to half guard.
Chase bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Chase dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Chase keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wankerl.
Chase scores with a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Chase plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Chase closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Chase lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wankerl misses with some punches.
Chase missing with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Chase.
Wankerl tries for a takedown. No joy.
Chase lands an elbow that stopped Wankerl in his tracks for a moment.
Chase misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wankerl.
Wankerl goes for a takedown in the clinch but Chase prevents it.
Chase lands a nice uppercut.
Chase misses with a knee strike.
Wankerl tries to score a body lock takedown but Chase shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Charlie Chase has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Wankerl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chase is working Wankerl over against the cage.
Wankerl on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Chase lands a shot to the body.
Chase misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wankerl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chase landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Chase using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Chase connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wankerl's face.
Chase is trying to stall.

Wankerl wants the takedown. Chase is fighting it off but Wankerl persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Chase's guard against the cage.

Chase has his foot on Wankerl's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wankerl works his way back into a safe position though.
Wankerl wants to control from the top but Chase keeps moving.
Wankerl stopping the sweep attempt from Chase.
Wankerl trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wankerl trying to control the position from guard on top but Chase is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chase trying to keep a closed guard but Wankerl is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chase manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Chase thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Wankerl is in all sorts of trouble here.
Chase punishing his opponent with strikes.
Wankerl is in a horrible position here. Chase smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Chase is looking to work his way around to Wankerl's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chase get's back to his feet.
Chase looks to clinch

and Wankerl counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Chase's guard now.
Isaac Wankerl has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wankerl trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Chase looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Wankerl has picked Chase up and slammed him! Chase can't keep hold of the triangle and Wankerl manages to pass to side control!
Wankerl wants to control but Chase is keeping him busy.
Chase sneaks back into half guard.
Chase preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Wankerl passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wankerl with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Chase is trying to escape the mount.

Wankerl is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Chase has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Chase!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chase working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Charlie Chase did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Wankerl shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Wankerl takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Chase wants to clinch up but Wankerl keeps it at a distance.
Chase fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wankerl with a poor takedown

and Chase holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Chase tries to land knees in the clinch but Wankerl avoids the damage to the body.
Chase slows down the pace here.
Chase crunches a lovely knee into Wankerl's ribcage.
Chase looking to slow down the pace here.
Wankerl takes an elbow to the forehead.
Chase lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Chase tries to land knees in the clinch but Wankerl avoids the damage to the body.
Chase tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wankerl has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Chase avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Charlie Chase has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Wankerl.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Chase tries to land knees in the clinch but Wankerl avoids the damage to the body.
Chase using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wankerl has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Chase throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wankerl wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chase landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Wankerl on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Chase tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Chase is fighting off a takedown attempt but Wankerl is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Chase to the mat. Chase regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Chase working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wankerl doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wankerl manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Chase throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Wankerl escapes and throws Chase's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Chase struggling a bit here.
Chase is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chase gets back to half guard.
Wankerl works his way into side control.
Chase gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Chase is looking for a sweep. Wankerl is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Chase looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Wankerl is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Chase sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chase is concentrating on defense, preventing Wankerl from advancing position.
Wankerl is trying to control. Chase wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wankerl blocks the strikes from Chase.
Wankerl is keen to just control but Chase is a slippery customer.
Chase trying to control here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Chase has closed the distance and engaged Wankerl in a clinch.
Wankerl is working for takedown but Chase is calmly controlling the position for now.
Wankerl on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Chase misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wankerl.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Chase stops a takedown attempt from Wankerl.
Knees in the clinch landing for Chase.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Wankerl tries for a takedown. No joy.
Chase looking to slow down the pace here.
Chase lands a knee to the body.
Wankerl has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Chase is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Chase misses with a knee strike.
Chase using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Chase swings wildly with an uppercut but Wankerl uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wankerl is working for takedown but Chase is calmly controlling the position for now.
Chase missing with knees to the body.

Wankerl has Chase pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Wankerl pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Chase tumbling to the mat - Wankerl dives into Chase's guard.

Chase looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wankerl pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Chase is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Charlie Chase will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Chase forces Wankerl back against the cage and clinches.

Wankerl has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Chase regains guard immediately.

Chase is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wankerl looking to pass the guard.

Chase has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wankerl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Chase keeping moving, preventing Wankerl from controlling successfully.
Chase is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chase looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Wankerl puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Wankerl is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Chase sees it coming and defends easily.
Chase is concentrating on defense, preventing Wankerl from advancing position.

Wankerl is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chase manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Chase not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Charlie Chase is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Chase wants to sweep but no luck.
Wankerl wants to pass the guard but Chase is keeping the position.
Chase keeping moving, preventing Wankerl from controlling successfully.
Chase has control of Wankerl's left arm, preventing Wankerl from doing any damage.
Chase is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Chase pulls Wankerl in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wankerl misses with a takedown

and Chase holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Chase misses with a knee to the head.
Wankerl drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wankerl has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Chase avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Charlie Chase has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Wankerl.
Chase connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wankerl's face.
Chase gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wankerl.
Chase throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Wankerl has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Chase is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Wankerl managing to block the knees to the body from Chase.
Wankerl is trying to drag Chase to the mat but Chase just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Chase using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Chase with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wankerl has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Chase is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Isaac Wankerl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wankerl blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Chase is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chase lands an elbow that stopped Wankerl in his tracks for a moment.
Chase throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wankerl doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie Chase showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Chase, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Chase!
Charlie Chase is the new lightweight champion!